Tag Archives: standing on the side of love

Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning, founder of UU Women’s Heart, member of the Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries and UUWomen and Religion leadership team, speaks about the importance of multi-media outreach.

This video was inspired by All Souls Tulsa’s video featuring a member that lives in the UK, found here:

I LOVE THIS! Stories like this are why I use many forms of media and outreach to live into my call.

It is why we created projects like UU Talks and virtual Minerva Potlucks.

It is why so many entrepreneurial ministries are using innovative outreach and service platforms. It is why when I do consulting for groups and congregations, encouraging all to incorporate a media component, at least audio and digital-text copies of sermons and services online, but whenever possible integrate video into their ministries. (my background is television so I aim for the highest quality production possible, but seriously – – if you have an iPhone and a gmail account or Facebook account, you have all the technology you need to expand the reach of your ministry – – it may not be the highest quality, but it is a viable option) People are looking for us. Let’s help them find the kind of salvation we have to offer. Help them find a safe and fulfilling place to call their spiritual home. #UUTalks#UULife#UUWomensHeart#StandingOnTheSideOfLove#UUWR

“On Friday night, August 25, Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 Storm and brought with it deadly winds and rain to an area of the United States millions call home. Much of the Texas Gulf Coast has been impacted and communities in Louisiana and across the state of Texas are still coping with more days of rain. We’re holding all of those affected in our hearts and prayers and we are in touch with local Unitarian Universalists so we can meet the needs as they arise. To do this, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has joined with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) on a recovery and relief fund.

Please give as generously as you are able. Half of all funds raised will go to at-risk populations served by UUSC partners and the other half of the funds will support Unitarian Universalist congregations and members of those congregations most affected by the storm. Those funds will be administered by a group of leaders in the UUA’s Southern Region, which includes the states across the southeast from Texas to South Carolina, and from most of Virginia to Florida.

Using their eye-to-eye partnership model, UUSC will work with and support local grassroots community partners on the ground in Texas serving at-risk populations who may not be able to access relief services and who are traditionally left out of mainstream response efforts. UUSC and their partners will work to bolster locally led relief efforts that are serving immigrant families, in particular young mothers and their children.

As the storm passes and recovery begins, UUSC will continue to get updates and work with partners to ensure their needs are met. Your donation to this fund is much appreciated. Thank you.”

Regardless of how we personally interpret or experience the Holy. Regardless of which individual causes we are most inspired to dedicate time to. Regardless of where we place our priorities on our day-to-day lives. When any among our human family are adrift in turbulent waters of life, spiritually or physically, we are each Called to form such a chain as this. Because we are each other’s saviors. That is why we are here together on this planet.

To the state workers in my district who cannot sleep tonight because they literally do not know where their next paycheck is coming from:

1. If you need food, contact me. We will not let anyone go hungry during this time.
2. If you need credit to meet a bill, the State of Maine Credit Union has announced a zero percent loan to replace paychecks in this time.https://www.mainestatecu.org/…/state-of-maine-employee-loan/
3. If you need temporary employment, there is at least one local farmer offering temporary work to help with planting.
4. If you need childcare or summer programming, the Boys and Girls Club is floating the children of state workers for free in these weeks.
5. If you need anything at all, email me at shenna.bellows@legislature.maine.gov, and I will do my best to help you find options.

And I will be in the legislature every day until the small group of radical House Republicans come to their senses. I voted for a budget I hated because I believe that people should not have to suffer for the ideological purity of a few. And yet people will suffer. I am so very sorry.

First because it is a wonderful opportunity for a DLRE to work with one of the most amazing ministers I know: Tony Fisher! We’ve stood side by side on social justice projects, including speaking together at Standing on the Side of Love/One Billion Rising events in Concord, MA (press references: 2013 and 2014).

Secondly I am sharing this because of the way he describes his congregation as an Oasis and one that is experiencing accelerated organic growth – something I feel each of our UU congregations can create with this kind of thoughtful approach.